Commercial drone work in Johnson County requires an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Flights in the controlled airspace around Iowa City Municipal (IOW) and Cedar Rapids (CID) airports need LAANC authorization. Iowa imposes no separate commercial drone license.
Anyone flying a drone for business in Johnson County, whether for real estate, surveying, inspections, agriculture, or University of Iowa research, must hold an FAA Part 107 certificate, renewed every 24 months. Operations in controlled airspace near the Iowa City Municipal Airport (IOW) or Cedar Rapids' Class C airspace (CID) require LAANC authorization or an FAA waiver. Night flights, flights over people, and beyond-visual-line-of-sight need specific Part 107 waivers. Iowa Code 719.9 still bars flights over correctional facilities. Cities may require a filming or business permit, and county park land is subject to the conservation board's use rules.
Operating commercially without Part 107 draws FAA civil penalties up to roughly $32,000. Entering controlled airspace without LAANC is a federal violation. Flying over a jail is a Class D felony under Iowa Code 719.9.
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